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Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
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Assess the suitability of penitentiary inmates for release under parole and statutory release programs and submit recommendations to parole boards.
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Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.
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Conduct prehearing and presentencing investigations and testify in court regarding offenders' backgrounds and recommended sentences and sentencing conditions.
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Arrange for postrelease services, such as employment, housing, counseling, education, and social activities.
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Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
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Develop and prepare packets containing information about social service agencies, assistance organizations, and programs that might be useful for inmates or offenders.
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Recommend appropriate penitentiary for initial placement of an offender.
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Develop liaisons and networks with other parole officers, community agencies, correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and aftercare agencies to plan for helping offenders with life adjustments.
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Provide offenders or inmates with assistance in matters concerning detainers, sentences in other jurisdictions, writs, and applications for social assistance.
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Identify and approve work placements for offenders with community service sentences.
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Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
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Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.
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Administer drug and alcohol tests, including random drug screens of offenders, to verify compliance with substance abuse treatment programs.
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Write reports describing offenders' progress.
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Develop rehabilitation programs for assigned offenders or inmates, establishing rules of conduct, goals, and objectives.
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Investigate alleged parole violations, using interviews, surveillance, and search and seizure.
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Recommend remedial action or initiate court action in response to noncompliance with terms of probation or parole.
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Participate in decisions about whether cases should go before courts and which court should hear them.
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Inform offenders or inmates of requirements of conditional release, such as office visits, restitution payments, or educational and employment stipulations.
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Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.